Gas Leak Maps Now Include 2019 Data

January 1, 1970

Since 2014, Massachusetts gas distribution utilities are required to report annually to the Department of Public Utilities the location of gas leaks and repairs in their territories. For five years, HEET has used the data in these reports to create detailed maps showing where gas leaks and repairs are located in over 300 municipalities across the state. 

This year we have added maps showing all the leaks and repairs by utility territory.

The maps now show:

  • Repaired and existing leaks reported for 2019
  • Reported leak locations and mapped location details when you click a particular leak

You can use your town’s map to find gas leaks in your neighborhood. These gas leaks sometimes exhibit patterns, for example, repeated leaks going down a road indicates a length of pipe in poor condition below. Other times there are leaks near schools, hospitals, or other areas of special concern. 

We have recently shared the maps with all of the state’s municipalities, to encourage each community to use the information in ways that will help their work.  You can share your town’s map with your Fire Department, Department of Public Works, Board of Health, and sustainability personnel. Gas leaks kill trees by suffocating their roots, so forward the map to your tree warden and conservation commission to see if a leak is near a dead or dying tree. The DPW and town engineer should also be aware of this data. Link to it from your town website to keep your townspeople informed and safe. Your community newspaper might want to report on it. 

HEET overhauled the mapping process this year to create geocoded data that is shared under a Creative Commons license. If you’d like to receive the geocoded data, please email info@heetma.org.